Error

Contact form was unable to load. If the problem continues, please contact the webmaster.

2

Sign up for email updates

Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates from your state representative and the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus.

Full Name: *First Name: *

Last Name: *

Email Address: *Email: *

Phone Number: *Phone: *

Address: *

City: *

State: *

Zip: *

State representatives are prohibited from sending email updates to you within 60 days of an election in which they are a candidate, unless you request them. By leaving this box checked, you acknowledge your request to receive email updates during the 60-day period.

I have been proudly serving Berks County
residents of the 127th Legislative District
in the House of Representatives. Many significant strides have been
taken to improve the lives of the residents of Reading, Berks County
and beyond since that time. I continue to work on many more. This
booklet is a snapshot of my legislative accomplishments to date, many
of which stem from my leadership role within the House Judiciary
Committee.
I have been privileged to serve as House Judiciary Committee
Democratic Chairman for much of my tenure as a state representative.
It is an enormous responsibility that I treat with great respect. Some of
the most influential and groundbreaking laws must first be vetted and
approved by the Judiciary Committee. Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 24 – State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, said the House passed his legislation that would provide training for law enforcement training and judges related to individuals suffering from mental illness, intellectual disabilities and autism within the criminal justice system. Under Caltagirone's bill, H.B. 221 , police officers and the minor judiciary, such as magisterial district judges, would receive training on the recognition and proper de-escalation techniques to be used when interacting with individuals with mental illness, intellectual disabilities or autism. The bill also calls for instruction on diversionary options for these individuals. "Incarcerating individuals with mental illness, intellectual disabilities or autism is not always the best option," Caltagirone said. "This bill addresses the issue on the front end by providing our police and minor judiciary with more early-detection training so they can identify these individuals as quickly as possible. "Moreover, with proper training our law enforcement officers may be able to avoid dangerous situations if they can quickly identify an individual experiencing a mental breakdown and use proven crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate a situation." Caltagirone added that according to recent estimates, over 50 percent of all female inmates and more than 20 percent of all inmates in state prison receive mental health treatments. Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, said the House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved his legislation calling for law enforcement training related to those suffering from mental illness and intellectual disabilities within the criminal justice system. Under Caltagirone's H.B. 221 , police officers and the minor judiciary, such as magisterial district judges, would receive training on recognition and proper de-escalation techniques to be used when interacting with individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities. The bill also calls for instruction on diversionary options for these individuals, such as alternative sentencing or treatment. The training for magisterial district judges would take the form of continuing education. "It is incumbent upon us as a governing body to address the significant problem of individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities ending up in our prisons," Caltagirone said. "As a first step, this would better equip our police and minor judiciary with the tools and training needed to identify these individuals at the earliest point in the criminal justice system and get them proper treatment." Caltagirone added that according to recent estimates, nearly 50 percent of female inmates and more than 20 percent of all inmates in state prison receive mental health treatment. "Getting the cost of corrections lowered is a must and if we continue Read more

Pennsylvania's children have a new protection thanks to Hannah's Law, named after Hannah Ginion of Bristol Township, who suffered from the rare genetic disorder called Krabbe disease. Hannah passed away on Dec. 28, 2014. Read more

~~HARRISBURG, Dec. 10 – State Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, announced the approval of $510,492 in funding for several public safety projects and initiatives throughout Berks County.
Caltagirone said the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will administer the funding that will be grant allocations from a combination of federal and state funding.
Through the federal STOP Violence Ag Read more

Pennsylvania has a Children's Health Insurance Program that provides free and low-cost health insurance to children. CHIP is not welfare – it covers children of working parents whose employers don't offer coverage and who can't afford private insurance. If you can't afford health insurance for your children, chances are they are eligible for CHIP. Read more

Landmark legislation passed during the 2013-14 Legislative Session now allows first responders, including law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS or other organizations the ability to administer a medication known as naloxone, a life-saving opioid-overdose antidote.
The law also allows individuals such as friends or family members who might be in a position to help a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose to obtain a prescription for naloxone. Additionally, Act 139 provides immunity from prosecution for those responding to and reporting overdoses.
Read more

House Bill 993, which renamed the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare as the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, was signed into law as Act 132 during the 2013-14 Legislative Session.
According to advocates for the change, renaming the department was long overdue, and as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, the name change better reflects the department’s mission. Read more

As we get into the coldest months of winter, many people are worried about affording their increasing heating costs. If you or someone you know qualifies, my office could help you take advantage of a program set up to curtail high home heating bills. Read more

In Pennsylvania, you can choose the company that generates your electricity – also known as your electric supplier. This means that you have the power to switch to a competing supplier who can offer the lowest price, or provide a specific service you want, such as “green” or renewable energy. Read more

Help & Services

I am here to help you with any state government-related issue you might have. Below are some of the most common websites that can answer your questions. For more help, or to speak with me or a staff member about an issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Neither the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nor any state employee warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or outdated. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.

Reference herein to any specific commercial products, processes or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or other mark does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The information and statements contained on this site shall not be used for the purposes of advertising, nor to imply the endorsement or recommendation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Settings

More

Stay Connected

Use this form to sign-up for email updates. Our subscription-based email deliver important information directly to you.